Final salute to a ‘legend’

Family farewells Bond the go-getter

PERTH businessman Alan Bond wasn’t a saint, but he was a “legend” and a generous family man, close friend John Hughes told mourners at his Fremantle funeral.

Those who packed St Patrick’s Basilica gathered not to remember the public Alan Bond, but the private man known only to those close to him.

Pallbearers, including Mr Bond’s sons, grandsons, sonin-law and friends, carried his casket into the church, adorned with red roses.

Prominent Perth car dealer John Hughes, who is a cousin to Eileen Bond, gave the only eulogy, saying Mr Bond was a generous go-getter even as a young signwriter, who pushed him to start his car empire.

He said without doubt Mr Bond was the most unforgettable person he had ever met.

At the conclusion of the service, mourners lined up in a guard of honour as Mr Bond’s hearse and family were driven away for a private burial, believed to be at Fremantle Cemetery where his daughter Susanne rests.

A private wake will be held at the Royal Perth Yacht Club.

Prominent members of the business community — many of them prolific in the halcyon days of the 1980s — yacht club members and the surviving members of the winning 1983 Australia II crew, led by skipper John Bertrand, were among the mourners.

But political figures and present were absent.

In his eulogy Mr Hughes paid tribute to Mrs Bond who he said was a “saint” who stood by her former husband in good

past times and bad and was a tremendous part of his success.

“Eileen, you had a tiger by the tail . . . I don’t think you’ll ever let go of that tiger,” he said.

He said Mr Bond was tenacious, with tremendous selfbelief, and had spurred on the careers of many entrepreneurs.

“He was an attractor of talent, a provider of opportunity,” he said.

Mr Hughes said Mr Bond was a legend and he did not believe the world would see the likes of him again.